Write to Know

Friday

Nov 30, 2007 at 2:00 AM

Write to Know appears Friday and Sunday. It gets answers. It stands up for your rights. Sign your name and give your address and telephone number, but any initials you choose will be used in publication. No telephone inquiries are accepted. Write your problem, giving as much information as possible, and send it to: Write to Know, Cape Cod Times, 319 Main St., Hyannis, MA 02601 or e-mail writetoknow@verizon.net.

Write to Know appears Friday and Sunday. It gets answers. It stands up for your rights. Sign your name and give your address and telephone number, but any initials you choose will be used in publication. No telephone inquiries are accepted. Write your problem, giving as much information as possible, and send it to: Write to Know, Cape Cod Times, 319 Main St., Hyannis, MA 02601 or e-mail writetoknow@verizon.net.

Special Olympics needs a vacuum cleaner

Dear Write to Know: Special Olympics of the Cape and Islands needs a vacuum cleaner for its Hyannis office, 805 W. Main St. If anyone has one to donate, it would be greatly appreciated. The person to call is Dee Ardolino, 508-771-6322. We will be glad to pick it up. Thanks.

D.A., Hyannis

Dear D.A.: Hope someone can help.

Charity thrift shop requests cash register

Dear Write to Know: Our charitable thrift shop has need of a cash register. If any reader has one to donate, it would be very helpful and much appreciated. We will be happy to pick it up. The number to call is 508-477-0326. My name is Jean.

J.D., Mashpee

Dear J.D.: Every shop needs a cash register. We wish you luck.

Looking for widow/widowers group to join

Dear Write to Know: Is there a group of widows and widowers on Cape Cod who meet on a regular basis, other than at the senior center? I am a widow and would like to join such a group. Perhaps there are others interested. Thank you.

N.V., Brewster

Dear N.V.: We don't know if there are any groups as such, or who may meet informally, but if readers will contact us ("Widows Group" should be noted on the envelope or e-mail subject line), we will gladly forward replies.

How to stop the flood of catalog mailings

Dear Write to Know: My mailbox has been filled to the brim with catalogs of all sorts I never requested nor ever ordered from. I am not interested in most of them and wonder how to get rid of them without receiving any more. I know some people just discard them immediately, but they still keep arriving. Help!

S.R.P., Hyannis

Dear S.R.P.: Your answer is www.catalogchoice.org, a free service that lets you decline paper catalogs you no longer wish to receive. At the same time, this helps reduce the amount of unsolicited mail in your mailbox, while helping to preserve the environment.

You may set up an account online by providing your name, e-mail address, a password (of at least five characters) and address where you receive your catalogs. An account such as this is necessary, according to Internet information, because anonymous use of the service would lead to abuse. It is stressed that information logged in is not shared with anyone. The mission of catalogchoice.org is to reduce the number of repeat and unsolicited catalog mailings "to promote the adoption of sustainable industry best practices by providing this service to both consumers and businesses." The program is a sponsored project of the Ecology Center, endorsed by the National Wildlife Federation, Natural Resources Council and funded by the Overbrook Foundation and the Merck Family Fund.

Remembering armed forces at Christmas

Dear Write to Know: A friend sent me an e-mail outlining a program whereby people can send a Christmas greeting to a recovering wounded soldier by mailing a card first class to:

A Recovering American Soldier, c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center, 6900 Georgia Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20307-5001. Are the other services conducting similar programs? Do you have any addresses?

R.B., via e-mail

Dear R.B.: We haven't yet heard if other services will be scheduling holiday greetings for hospitalized soldiers, but will let you know if we do.

Imus returns to the airwaves this Monday

Dear Write to Know: Recent publicity indicates that Don Imus will be back on the radio next month. Can you provide a station listing, and will the program be on Cape or Boston radio?

R.A., Harwich

Dear R.A.: WABC-AM, New York, will carry Imus on morning drive time beginning Dec. 3. No Cape station will carry the program, from what we could determine, but WTKK, 96.9 in Boston will begin carrying Imus next Monday from 5 to 9 a.m.

Request for slide rule draws late response

Dear Write to Know: In the past year, you heard from a person wishing to acquire a slide rule. I recently found mine while cleaning out the attic. If that person is still looking, I would love to have the slide rule used again by someone who would appreciate it.

D.J.D., Sandwich

Dear D.J.D.: Thanks for keeping in touch, and, if the reader who requested a slide rule is still seeking one, we hope that person will be in touch. If not, perhaps someone else interested will contact us ("Slide Rule" should be noted on messages), and we will forward replies.

Kodak carousel trays needed for projector

Dear Write to Know: I had a great number of responses for a slide projector and acquired one from a wonderful individual, but, unfortunately, he had no trays. Now, I'm wondering if any of your readers have any quantity of Kodak carousel trays available. It would help greatly. My number again is 508-477-6029. Thank you.

D.G., via e-mail

Dear D.G.: We'll try again.

Record player wanted to hear the 'oldies'

Dear Write to Know: Does anyone have a three-speed record player that they no longer need? We have some 33- and 78-rpm records, but nothing to play them on. We would appreciate hearing from someone who may have such a player tucked away somewhere. Our phone number is 508-255-2927.

C.G.O., North Eastham

Dear C.G.O.: Bet you'll hear from someone.

Readers fill preschool's supply request

Dear Write to Know: It is Sunday as I write, and I wanted you to know today, when my letter was published in your column, that I received many calls from people wanting to donate computers. And today, I picked up one computer and a children's play table with chairs for our preschool.

Thank you, Norman of North Harwich for the computer, and thank you, Sarah of Yarmouthport for the lovely wooden table and chairs for the kitchen center.

M.M., via e-mail

Dear M.M.: Christmas came early. Thanks to all.

NOTES TO READERS

To K.V., South Dennis: Sorry, we can't help you with that wedding gown. This column only accepts items that are offered free. Try placing a classified ad; the description sounds lovely and someone should be pleased to acquire the gown.

To e-mailer J.B.: Many thanks for providing Indiana Sampler as a source for wind-up music boxes. We have forwarded your message to B.S., West Yarmouth.

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